Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with SJ Moquin
Book Title: Remembrance
Released: 07/27/21
Genre: YA SciFi Fantasy
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Remembrance”?
Moquin: I stumbled upon a short story contest for science fiction or fantasy that had the theme 'firsts'. Simply put, I was to write about my character experiencing something for the first time. I instantly thought, what if you’d never seen land, fresh air, or water? What if you’d been raised in space? So I wrote the short story using the same characters that are in Remembrance. Afterward I couldn’t help but want to see what else happened to them, so Remembrance was born. Technically you could say, the prologue in Remembrance is what was left of that short story.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Moquin: Usually names are something I pour over and research and want to make just right. I wanted something that sounded futuristic and unique without being complicated. And just like the plot of Remembrance, the names came to me as I started creating the characters.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Moquin: Remembrance is a fun, adventurous tale that you can read quickly and enjoy, but there is an undertone of themes that are woven in between those moments like courage, perseverance, and overcoming grief. Also, I love hearing what my readers think and feel about my stories so I encourage them to drop an email or DM and let me know.
If "The Flower Boat Girl” were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Moquin: This is a toughie for me. But here’s a few ideas. For Gwelle, Landry Bender, Disney Star. For Raiden, Aramis Knight from Into the Badlands. For Lark, Madison Bailey from Outerbanks and for Knox, Christian Martyn from Anne with an E. And for some reason, I've always seen Jexxa as Elle Fanning.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Moquin: The biggest tip is to read in the genre you write. Read, read, read. By reading other author’s works, you learn and grow your writing techniques and styles. And keep at it. Each manuscript you write, whether it reaches an audience or not, you’re learning and growing.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Moquin: Normally, I try to push through and write it out however little that might be at a time but in the past that has led to an even larger writer’s block for me. Ha! I don’t do well under pressure I guess. I’m trying something new this year with setting daily, weekly, and monthly word goals. I know it’s only been a short while but meeting these very easy goals has helped my mentality where writing is concerned.
Also, anything that inspires my creative side has helped in the past. Listening to music, reading favorite books, or watching movies all helps my creative juices start flowing again.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Moquin: My favorite genre is fantasy. My favorite book to date is ‘A Court of Wings and Fury’ by Sarah J. Maas. I have way too many favorite authors to name but Colleen Hoover, Sarah J. Maas, and Leigh Bardugo are a few.
What are you working on next?
Moquin: At the moment, I’m querying my urban fantasy series, Bloodlines, that explores the world if the descendants of myths and fairy tales were real and living among us. My current work-in-progress is a departure from fantasy and science fiction, A Million Little Moments, about a small town girl who meets a Hollywood superstar during their senior year as he hides out, away from scandals and the press. I’m always willing to try new genres and ideas to push my limits.
Learn More About the Author and Remembrance here:
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